Railway signaling



Jan. 26 1926.

H.$.YOUNG RAILWAY SIGNALING Filed May 5, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Jan. 26, 1926.

UNITED STATES HENRY YOUNG, OF WILKINSBU'RG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION PATENT OFFICE.

SWITGH & SIGNAL COMPANY, SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

Application filed May 5,

Z '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY S. YOUNG, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signaling, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to railway signaling, and particularly to signaling of the type comprising light signals capable of giving a plurality: of indications.

I will describe two forms of railway signaling systems embodying my invention,

" and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View showing one form of railway signaling system embodying my invention- Fig. 2 is a view showing a modification of the system shown in Fig. 1 and also embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the two views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference characters K, and L' designate the track rails of a railroad over which traflic normal-' 1y moves in the direction indicated by the arrows. These rails are divided by insulated joints 1 into a plurality of track sections AB, BC, etc. Each track section is provided with a source of track circuit current which as here shown comprises a secondary winding 3 of a track transformer. designated by the reference character T with an exponent corresponding to the location, .this secondary being connected across ,the rails .at'the exit end of the section. Int erposed between the secondary 3 of each transformer and one rail K of the track section is an iron core reactor 5 whereby the current output of the transformer T is limited to a safe value when the rails of the section are occupied by a train. .Each section is also provided with a track relay which is designated by the reference character R with an exponent corresponding to the location. 'Each of these relays comprises a track winding 2 connected across the rails at the entrance end of the section, and a polariz ing or local winding 6, constantly supplied with alternating current from a secondary 7 of a line transformer designated by the reference character H with an exponent cor- 1923. Serial 1%. 636,827.

responding to the location. The primary winding 8 of each transformer H is energized from a transmission line D which is prising a transformer secondary 3, a reactor 5, one rail K, a track winding 2 of R and the other rail L.

Each relay R comprises three contact fingers 10, 11 and 12 which are controlled by the windings 2 and 6. Each relay is responsive to reversals of the relative polarity of the current supplied to the track winding 2. .When current of normal relative polarity is supplied to this winding the relay is en ergized in what I shall term the normal direction and ,when thus energized, the contact fingers 10, 11 and 12 are swung to the right so that cont-acts 10'13 and 12-14 are closed; these contacts I will therefore term the normal contacts of the relay. When the track winding 2 is supplied with current of reverse relative polarity the relay is energized in what I shall term the reverse direction and when thus energized the contact fingers 10, 11 and 12 are swung to the left so that contacts 1015, 1.116, and 1217 are closed and these contacts are accordingly termedthe reverse contacts of the relay. When the track winda relay ing 2 is de-energized, contact fingers 10, 11'

and 12 occupy intermediate positions wherein no contacts are closed.

Associated with each relay R is another relay, designated by the reference character J with an exponent corresponding'to the location. Each relay J comprises a single energizing winding 18, and a plurality of movable contact fingers 19, 20,21 and 22 which are; controlled by. the current in the winding 18. When this winding is supplied with current the movable fingers 19, 20, 21 and 22 are raised to the upper positions closing the front contacts 19-23, 2024;, 21

25 and 2226. When the winding 18 is de-energized the movable fingers 19, 20, 21 and 22 are dropped to their lower positions whereby the back contacts 1927, 20 28,

21-29 and 22 30 are closed. 7 Each relay J is controlled by the associated relay R in such manner that relay J is energized when relay R is energized m either normal or reverse direction and de-.

. from normal to reverse or vice versa, and

7 wire 31,

wires 34 and 37.

the relay J is therefore not affected by such change. Considering relays R and J for instance, when relay R is energized in normal direction the circuit J A is from the right hand terminal of the secondary winding 7 of transformer H through wires 36, 35. 81

and 30, the winding of the relay J, wires 82 and 84, normal contact 12-14 of relay R and wires 85, 86, 60, 52 and 37 to the left hand terminal of the secondary winding 7 of the transformer H When the relay R is energized in the reverse direction the circuit for the relay J A is the same as before except that it now passes from the wire 82 through the wire 83 and the reverse contact 12-17 .of relay R back to wire and thence as before.

Each track section is provided with means for reversing the relative polarity of the current supplied to the rails of the section, and ashere shown this is accomplished by reversing the relative polarity of the cur: rent supplied to the primary winding 4 of the transformer T. Considering transformer T: for example, when relay J is energized the right hand terminal of windin 4 of the secondary winding 7 of the line transformer H by means of the wire 32, front contact 2125 of relay J A and Wires 33, 34 and 37. At the same time the left hand terminal of the winding 4 is connected by the front contact 22-26 of the relay J and wires 38, 35 and 36 to the right hand terminal of secondary winding 7 of the transformer H The current which is then supplied to the rails of the section to the left of A is of normal relative polarity. When the relay J A is de-cnergized the right hand terminal of the winding 4 is connected to the right hand terminal of the secondary winding 7 of the transformer H by wire 32, back contact 21-29 of the relay J and wires 38, 35 and 36, while the left hand terminal oftransformer winding 4 is connected to the left hand terminal of secondary winding 7 of the transformer H by wire 31, back contact 22-30 of the relay J and It is evident that the polarity of the transformer T is now opposite to that corresponding to the energlzed position of the relay J The current which is then supplied to the rails of the section "to the left of A is of reverse relative po- 'jarity.

Thus it will be seen that current of itheranormal or reverse relative polarity is supplied to the rails of a section, dependis connected to the left hand terminal nal designated by the reference character S with an exponent corresponding to the location, each of which signals comprise three signal units G, Y, and Y. lVhen unit (i is lighted the signal indicates proceed, when unit Y is lighted, the signal indicates caution, and when units Y and Y are both lighted the signal gives what I will term a permissive indication meaning that the track section governed by the signal is occupied and that approaching trains of certain classes, such as heavy freight trains, are not required to make a full stop at the signal.

The signal unit G comprises two lamps 39 and 40 designed for operation at different voltages. For example, lamp 39 may be a 6-volt lamp and lamp 40 may be a 55-volt lamp. Similarly, the unit Y comprises a 6-volt lamp 41 and a 55-volt lamp 42, while the unit Y comprises a 6-volt lamp 43 and a 55-volt lamp 44. The unit G is also provided with a green lens not shown in the drawing, for projecting a beam of green light when either of the associated lamps 39 or 40 is lighted. Similarly, the unit Y is provided with a yellow lens not shown in the drawing for projecting a beam of yellow light when either of the associated lamps 41 or 42 is lighted. The unit Y is also provided with a yellow lens not shown in the drawing for projecting a beam of yellow light when either of the associated lamps 43 or 44 is lighted.

In the following specification I shall call the lamps 39 and 40 green lamps and the lamps 41, 42, 43 and 44 yellow lamps for purposes of simplification of nomenclature althoughit is understood that the colors referred to result from the colored lenses in front of.the lamps and not from the lamps themselves. Each signal is controlled bv its associated relays R and J, the circuits being as follows:

Considering the signal S for example, the 6-volt green lamp-39 is provided with a stepdown transformer U having a ratio of 110 to 6. Similarly, the yellow lamps 41 and 43 are provided with stepdown transformers V and WV having a ratio of 55 to 6. Each lamp is connected with the secondary of its transformer while the primaries of these transformers are supplied with alternating current from a source controlled by the relays R and J. Thus the circuit for the stepdown transforn'ie-r U is from the right hand terminal of the secondary winding 7 of transformer H through wires 36, 45 and 40,

wire 50, front contact 2024 of relay J and'wires 51, 52 and 37 back to the left hand terminal of secondary 7 of transformer E. This circuit is of course closed only when relay J is energized and relay R 'is energized in the normal direction. Under these conditionsthe lamp 39 is lighted, and the lamp 40 is also lighted, its circuit being from an autotap on the primary of transformer U, through wire 48, the lamp 40, the .Wire 47 back to the right hand terminal of the primary of the transformer U. The circuit for the caution stepdown transformer W is from the right hand terminal of the secondary 7 of the transformer H through wires 36, 45, 53 and 54, primary winding of transformer IV, wire 55, a resistance 56, wire 57, reverse contact 1116 of relay R wire 58, front contact 19-23.of relay J andwires 59, 80, 52 and 37 back to the secondary? of transformer H The circuit for the 55 volt lamp 44 is from .the secondary of the transformer H through wires 36, 45 and 53, lamp 44, wire 61, a resistance 62, wire 63, reverse contact 10-15 of relay R Wire 50, front contact 20-24 of relay J wires 51, 52 and 37, back to the secondary winding 7 of transformer H These two circuits are closed only when the relay J A is energized and the relay R is energized in the reversedirection:

When these relays are thus energizedboth lamps 43 and 44 are lighted. The circuit for causing the permissive aspect ofthe signal is from the right hand terminal of the secondary 7 of transformer H through wires 36, 45, 53 and 54, primary winding 'of stepdown transformer W, wires 55 and 64,

primary winding of transformer V, wire 65, back contact 19-27 of the relay J wires 59, 60, 52 and 37, back to the secondary 7 of transformer H Another circuit passes from the right hand side of the secondary winding 7 of the transformer H through wires 36, 45, and 53, lamp 44, wire 61', lamp 42, wire 66, back contact 20-28 of relay J and wires 51, 52 and 37, back 'to the sec.- ondary winding 7 of transformer H These circuits are closed-only when relay J is de-energized. In this case the two, sets of lamps 41and 4-2, and 43 and 44' are lighted.

The signals S and S are controlled inv a similar manner by'relays R and J and R and J respectively.

the ri ht of C is occupied by a vehicle X so that tie relay, R is ,de-energized. This in turn ole-energizes the relay J C with the result that the permissive indication is displayed therefore energized in reverse direction and trelay J is energized, thus causing a caution indication to be displayed by signal S and current of normal relative polarity to be supplied to the rails ofthe section A- -B.

Track relay R is therefore energized in the normal direction and relay J is energized with the resultthat the proceed indication is displayed by the signal S and current of normal relative polarity is supplied to the rails of the section to the left of A. It will be noted that when a signal should give a permissive signal, that is, when its associated section is occupied by a train, if one of the 6-volt yellow lamps, 41 for instance, is extinguished and the other 6-volt yellow lamp 43 remains lighted, theresult will be that the yellow unit Y will appear brighter than yellow unit Y since both lamps 43 and 44 of unit Y are lighted whereas only lamp 42' is lighted in unit Y. Similarly, if lamp 43 is extinguished and lamp 41 remains lighted, yellow unit Y will appear brighter than yellow unit Y. Under either of these conditions a permissive indication might. be mistaken for a caution signal, the difference in the intensity of illumination of the two yel-- low lenses causing the observer to believe lamp 43 will not become incandescent. Thus if one of the 6-volt lamps goes out the other is extinguished also. In order to accomplish this, the transformers V and WV are so designed that their cores will not saturate at double normal voltage. In a similar manner, if one of the 55-volt yellow lamps burn out and a similar lamp in the other yellow unit is not extinguished under permiss ve conditions, the result will be a false caution indication. I have prevented this byconnecting the two lamps 42 and 44 in series, whereby if one-goes out the other is extinguished also. Thus in either of these cases, in spite of the failure of a lamp, the permissive indication is displayed with both lenses illuminated to practically the same intensity.

, The resistance 56- is of such value as to reduce the voltage of the transformer H to the proper voltage for the primary of thetransformer W. -The resistance 62 is of As shown in the drawlng, the SQCtlOIl to such value as to limit the current to the proper value through the lamp 44, both these resistances being used only when the caution aspect isdisplayed.

In Fig. 2, I show another form, of circuit embodying my invention, wherein I use the same apparatus as shown in. Fig. 1 except that another contact finger 70, co-acting with a reverse contact 71 is provided on each relay R. The contact 70-71 is closed when the relay is supplied with current of reverse relative polarity. The transformer H is also provided with a tapped secondary, so that the circuit for lamps 42 and ll.

half the winding may be utilized to energize the lamps without series resistances, thus improving the watt efficiency of the system. In the arrangement shown in 'Fig. 2, the circuit for the reen lamps 39 and 40 is the same as in big. 1. Referring particularly to signal S, the circuit for the permissive aspect has'beon changed so that wire 66 is now connected to wire and thence passes to hack contact 19- 97 of the relay J and by wires 59, 52 and 37, back to the left hand terminal of the secondary winding of transformer II, thus on'iittiug the back contacts 2028 of relay J andwire 51 from The circuit for the caution indication eliminates the resistance'GQ and now passes from the right hand side of the secondary winding 75 of transformer H through wires. 36, 45 and 53, lamp fl, wires 61 and (33, reverse contact 7071 of the relay R, wires 72 and 50, front contact 2024 of relay J and wire 51 to the middle point of the transformer H. The low voltage light transformer for the caution unit has a circuit passing from the right hand terminal of the secondary winding of the transformer H through wires 36, 45, 53 and 54, primary winding of transformer V, Wires 55 and 57, reverse contact 1116 of relay R, wires 58 and 50, front contact 20-24 of relay J and wire 51 back to the middle point of the secondary winding of the transformer H. These circuits are closed only when the relay J is energized and the relay R 1S energized in the reverse direction. The operation of this system resulting from the presence of a train 0 in the block to the right of C is precisely the same as for the system shown in Fig. 1 and it will be noted that in both cases afalse caution signal indication under permissive conditionscan not be displayed as a result of a burned out lamp.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms 'of railway signaling'systems embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes andmodifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit andscope of my invention. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: J

1. A railway signaling system comprising a step-down lighting transformer, a signal lamp connected to the secondary of said transformer, a circuit for the primary of said transformer including a source of energy, train governed means for interrupting said circuit and a resistance whereby the voltage of the source is reduced to a safe value for said primary. a second signal lamp having a circult lncludmg'the said source, and a second train controlled means,

for interrupting the last-mentioned circuit.

2. A railway signaling system comprising two step-down lighting transformers having a signal lamp connected with the secondary of each transformer, two higher voltage lamps connected in series, and train governed means for controlling the supply of current to the primaries of said transformers and said higher voltage lamps.

3. A railway signaling system comprising two step-down light ng transformers having their primary windings connected in series said transformers being so designed that their cores will not saturate at double the normal voltage, a lower voltage signal lamp connected tothesecondary of each transformer, two higher voltage lamps connected in series, and train governed means for controlling the supply of current to said primaries and said higher voltage lamps.

4. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway t ack, a track transformer for each section the secondary of which is connected across the rails adjacent the exit end of the section, a source of alternating current, a track relay for each section having one winding supplied with current from the rails of the section and another winding supplied with current from said source, a light signal for each section comprising three units and each unit having a signal lamp designed to operate at a lower voltage, a step-down lighting transformer having a secondary connected to ,the said lamp and a primary supplied with current from the said source, each unit also having a higher voltage lamp supplied with .current from the said source; a circuit for the primary of one of the lighting transformers including the said source, a normal contact on said track relay and a front contact on a second relay controlled by said track relay; a circuit for the primary of asecond lighting transformer including the said source, a resistance, a reverse contact on said track relay and a second front contact on said second relay; and a circuit for the primary of the remaining lighting transformer including the primary of the second said lighting transformer, a back contact on "said second relay and said source; a circuit for one of the higher voltage lamps including a portion of the primary of the first lighting transformer, a circuit for a second higher voltage lamp including the said source, a resistance, a reverse contact on the said track relay, and a front contact on said second relay, and a circuit for the remaining higher voltage lamp including the said source. the second said higher voltage lamp and a back contact on-said second relay, also circuit for the primary of each track transformer including either the said source and I two front contacts on the said second relay, whereby current of one relative polarity is supplied to the windings, or the said source the winding.

and two back contacts on said second relay whereby current of the other relative polarity is supplied to the windings.

5. In combination, a plurality of successive sections, of railway track, a track transformer for each section the secondary of which is connected across the rails adjacent the exit end of the section, a source of energy, a track relay for each section having ,a winding supplied with current from the rails of the section and another winding supplied with current from said source, a light 'signal for each section comprising three units, and each such ,unit having a signal lamp and a stepdown lighting transformer provided with a secondary connected to said lamp; a circuit for the primary of one of the lighting transformers including the said source, a normal contact on said track relay and a front contact on a second relay controlled by a said'track relay; a circuit for the primary of a second lighting transformer including the said source, a resistance, a 'reverse contact on said track relay and a second front contact on said second relay; and a circuit for the primary of the remaining lighting transformer including the primary of the second said lighting transformer, a back contact on said second relay and the said source, also a circuit for the primary of each track transformerincluding the said source and two front contacts of said second relay whereby current of one relative polarity is supplied the winding, or includingthe said source and two back contacts of said second relay, whereby current of the other relative polarity is supplied 6. In combination, a plurality of succes- 'sive sections of railway track, a track transformer for each sectionthe secondary of which is connected across the rails"adjacentthe exit end of the section, a source of en- 'ergy. a track relay for each section having a winding supplied with current from the rails of the section and-another winding supplied with current from said source, a light signal for each section each said signal comprising three units and each unit having a signal lamp designed tooperate at a lower voltage, a step-down lighting transformer having a secondary connected to the said lamp and a primary supplied with current from the said source, each unit also having a higher voltage lamp supplied with current from the said source; a circuit for the primary of one of the lighting transformers including the said source, a normal contact A on said track relay and a front contact on a second relay; a circuit for the primary of a 'second lighting transformer including the "said source,-aresistance, a reverse contact on said track relay and a second front contact on said second relay; and a circuit for the primary of the remaining lighting transformer including the primary of the second said lighting transformer, aback contact on said second relay and the said source; a circuit for one of the higher voltage lamps including a portion of the primary of the first lighting transformer; a circuit for a second higher voltage lamp including the said source, a resistance, a reverse contact on the said track relay, and a front contact on the said second relay; and a circuit for the remaining higher voltage lamps including the said source, the second said higher voltage lamp and a back contact of the said second relay, and means controlled by traflic conditions in advance for reversing the relative polarity of the current -supplied to the primary of the track transformer-for the section next in the rear.

7. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway track, a track transformer for each section the secondary of which is connected across the rails adjacent the exit end of the section, a source of alternating current, a track relay for each section, having a winding supplied with current from the rails of the section and another winding supplied with current from said source, a second relay for each section, controlled by its associated track relay, a light signal for each section comprising three units each of which is provided with a signal lamp and a stepdown lighting transformer having a primary, a circuit for one of the said lamps including a portion of said primary; a circuit for a second said lamp including the said source, a resistance, a reverse contact on the said track relay, and a front contact on the said second relay; a circuit for the remaining lamp including said source the second said lamp and a back contact on said second relay, also a circuit for the primary of each track transformer including either the said source and two front contacts of the said second relay whereby current of one relative polarity is supplied the windings, or the said source and two back contacts of said second-relay whereby current of the other relative polarity is supplied the windings. i

8. A railway signaling system comprising a signal having two signal light units, each including two lamps, means for extinguishing one lamp in one of said units if a corresponding lamp in the other unit burns out, thereby diminishing the intensity of the light emitted from said signal but not altering the indication displayed thereby.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HENRY S. YOUNG. 

